JavaScript is required for the full experience. Features like maps, search, and interactive navigation won't work without it.

Nagano Prefecture

2 temples · 6 shrines

Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is in Japan’s Chubu region, in the center of Honshu. Known for the Japanese Alps, historic Zenko-ji Temple, and mountain towns like Matsumoto and Karuizawa, it is a popular area for nature, pilgrimage, and seasonal travel.

Events in Nagano Prefecture

Cities & Wards

Top places to visit in Nagano Prefecture

All places in Nagano Prefecture

A ranked guide to standout temples and shrines for planning a meaningful visit.

1
Chōkoku-ji
Location: Nagano
Goshuin: Goshuin
Chōkokuji (長國寺) is a Buddhist temple in the Senzoku area of Taito City, Tokyo. Set within an urban neighborhood, it serves as a local place of Buddhist worship and a useful cultural stop for visitors exploring the area's community temples and everyday...
Address: 1015-1 Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano, 381-1231, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 3-3872-1667
View details
Temple
2
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of Japan's oldest shrines and head of over 5,000 Suwa shrines nationwide. Part of the Suwa Taisha complex with four main shrines around Lake Suwa. Famous for the Onbashira Festival held every six years, featuring massive log pillars.
Address: 1 Miyayama, Nakasu, Suwa, Nagano 392-0015Website Phone: +81 266-52-1919
View details
Shrine
3
Zenkō-ji
5.0(1)
Location: Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of Japan's most important Buddhist temples, founded in the 7th century. Houses the first Buddhist statue brought to Japan, a hidden Amida Buddha triad. Famous for its nonsectarian approach, welcoming all visitors regardless of sect or gender.
Address: 491-i Motoyoshicho, Nagano, Nagano 380-0851Website Phone: +81 26-234-3591
View details
Temple
4
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Opens at: Opens 09:00
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of the four shrines of Suwa Taisha, Kamisha Maemiya is the former shrine of the Upper Shrine group in Chino, Nagano. It is an ancient Shinto site linked to Suwa worship, Onbashira traditions, and the wider Lake Suwa shrine complex.
Why you should go
Maemiya is the only one of the four Suwa Taisha shrines with an actual honden (main sanctuary building) that houses the sacred shintai. The other three shrines have only worship halls.
The shrine's honden was built in 1932 using timber salvaged from the Grand Shrine of Ise, connecting it to Japan's most sacred shrine complex through its very structure.
The shrine is part of a system with over 60 auxiliary shrines scattered around Lake Suwa, ranging from tiny stone structures to full compounds, each playing a role in the ritual calendar.
Address: 2030 Miyagawa, Chino, Nagano 391-0013, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-72-1606
View details
Shrine
5
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is the autumn shrine of Suwa Grand Shrine’s Lower Shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano. It is an important Shinto site tied to ancient regional worship, seasonal rituals, and the wider Suwa shrine complex overlooking Lake Suwa.
Why you should go
Akimiya serves as the autumn shrine while its sister Harumiya functions as the spring shrine. Both form the Lower Shrine complex on Lake Suwa's northern shore in Shimosuwa town.
Suwa Taisha is considered one of Japan's oldest shrines; the Nihon Shoki implies it already existed in the late 7th century.
Akimiya is one of four shrines in the Suwa complex, one of Japan's oldest Shinto sites dating to at least the 7th century. The complex splits into Upper and Lower shrines on opposite sides of Lake Suwa.
Address: 5828 Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0052, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-27-8035
View details
Shrine
6
Fukashi Jinja
4.0(1)
Location: Matsumoto, Nagano
Opens at: Opens 09:00
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
Fukashijinja is a large Shinto shrine in Matsumoto, Nagano, dedicated to Suwamyojin (deity of wind, water, and agriculture) and SugawaranoMichizane (deity of learning). Known as the "Tenjinsama of Fukashi," it hosts the famous Tenjin Matsuri festival each...
Why you should go
Take the 10-15 minute walk east from Matsumoto Station along Agata-no-mori street, then turn south at the Miyamura-machi traffic signal just before the Performing Arts Centre.
Plan your visit for July to experience the Tenjin Matsuri, when 16 elaborately decorated floats from local neighborhoods are displayed at the shrine and paraded through the streets.
Arrive early on weekdays or outside festival season to enjoy the shrine's quiet, spiritual atmosphere without tourist crowds. Several visitors noted the shrine feels peaceful and contemplative when you're not competing with tour groups, making it easier to appreciate the ornate painted carvings and statues.
Address: 3-chome-7-43 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 263-32-1214
View details
Shrine
7
Yohashira Jinja
4.0(1)
Location: Matsumoto, Nagano
Goshuin: Goshuin
A central Shinto shrine in Matsumoto, Yōhashira Jinja sits beside Nawate Street near Matsumoto Castle. It is known for blessings of good fortune, matchmaking, and family harmony, and hosts a major annual autumn festival with wooden floats.
Why you should go
Built in just nine days before the Emperor's 1879 visit, the shrine burned down nine years later in a fire that devastated central Matsumoto. The current buildings weren't completed until 1924.
Unlike most Shinto shrines dedicated to a single deity, Yohashira enshrines four gods at once, including the sun goddess Amaterasu and three creation deities, earning it the nickname 'Wish-Granting Shrine.'
The annual October festival features elaborately decorated wooden floats (butai) designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties, parading through streets while musicians perform aboard the moving platforms.
Address: 3-chōme-3-20 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 263-32-1936
View details
Shrine
8
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
A historic Shinto shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano, and one of the four main shrines of the Suwa Taisha complex. Set near the Togawa River, it is known for its quiet wooded grounds, seasonal rituals, and connection to the wider Lake Suwa shrine system.
Why you should go
The shrine sits beside the Togawa River and features a sacred Japanese cedar tree, blending so gradually into residential Shimosuwa streets that visitors say it 'emerges from ordinary town' rather than announcing itself.
Almost no historical documents from the Lower Shrine (which includes Harumiya) survived through the centuries. Nearly all records about Suwa Taisha come from the Upper Shrine across the lake.
Harumiya means 'Spring Shrine' because the deity traditionally resides here from February to July, then moves to nearby Akimiya (Autumn Shrine) for the rest of the year in a seasonal ritual unique to Suwa Taisha.
Address: 193 Daimon, Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0092, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-27-8316
View details
Shrine

Nagano Prefecture throughout the year

Tokyo Prefecture39 temples · 97 shrines

Kyoto Prefecture68 temples · 38 shrines

Kanagawa Prefecture33 temples · 26 shrines

Saitama Prefecture28 temples · 10 shrines

Osaka Prefecture14 temples · 19 shrines

Ehime Prefecture24 temples · 2 shrines

Nagano Prefecture

2 temples · 6 shrines

Events in Nagano Prefecture

Cities & Wards

Suwa

4 places

Matsumoto

2 places

Nagano

2 places

Top places to visit in Nagano Prefecture

All places in Nagano Prefecture

A ranked guide to standout temples and shrines for planning a meaningful visit.

1
Chōkoku-ji
Location: Nagano
Goshuin: Goshuin
Chōkokuji (長國寺) is a Buddhist temple in the Senzoku area of Taito City, Tokyo. Set within an urban neighborhood, it serves as a local place of Buddhist worship and a useful cultural stop for visitors exploring the area's community temples and everyday...
Address: 1015-1 Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano, 381-1231, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 3-3872-1667
View details
Temple
2
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of Japan's oldest shrines and head of over 5,000 Suwa shrines nationwide. Part of the Suwa Taisha complex with four main shrines around Lake Suwa. Famous for the Onbashira Festival held every six years, featuring massive log pillars.
Address: 1 Miyayama, Nakasu, Suwa, Nagano 392-0015Website Phone: +81 266-52-1919
View details
Shrine
3
Zenkō-ji
5.0(1)
Location: Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of Japan's most important Buddhist temples, founded in the 7th century. Houses the first Buddhist statue brought to Japan, a hidden Amida Buddha triad. Famous for its nonsectarian approach, welcoming all visitors regardless of sect or gender.
Address: 491-i Motoyoshicho, Nagano, Nagano 380-0851Website Phone: +81 26-234-3591
View details
Temple
4
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Opens at: Opens 09:00
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
One of the four shrines of Suwa Taisha, Kamisha Maemiya is the former shrine of the Upper Shrine group in Chino, Nagano. It is an ancient Shinto site linked to Suwa worship, Onbashira traditions, and the wider Lake Suwa shrine complex.
Why you should go
Maemiya is the only one of the four Suwa Taisha shrines with an actual honden (main sanctuary building) that houses the sacred shintai. The other three shrines have only worship halls.
The shrine's honden was built in 1932 using timber salvaged from the Grand Shrine of Ise, connecting it to Japan's most sacred shrine complex through its very structure.
The shrine is part of a system with over 60 auxiliary shrines scattered around Lake Suwa, ranging from tiny stone structures to full compounds, each playing a role in the ritual calendar.
Address: 2030 Miyagawa, Chino, Nagano 391-0013, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-72-1606
View details
Shrine
5
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is the autumn shrine of Suwa Grand Shrine’s Lower Shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano. It is an important Shinto site tied to ancient regional worship, seasonal rituals, and the wider Suwa shrine complex overlooking Lake Suwa.
Why you should go
Akimiya serves as the autumn shrine while its sister Harumiya functions as the spring shrine. Both form the Lower Shrine complex on Lake Suwa's northern shore in Shimosuwa town.
Suwa Taisha is considered one of Japan's oldest shrines; the Nihon Shoki implies it already existed in the late 7th century.
Akimiya is one of four shrines in the Suwa complex, one of Japan's oldest Shinto sites dating to at least the 7th century. The complex splits into Upper and Lower shrines on opposite sides of Lake Suwa.
Address: 5828 Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0052, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-27-8035
View details
Shrine
6
Fukashi Jinja
4.0(1)
Location: Matsumoto, Nagano
Opens at: Opens 09:00
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
Fukashijinja is a large Shinto shrine in Matsumoto, Nagano, dedicated to Suwamyojin (deity of wind, water, and agriculture) and SugawaranoMichizane (deity of learning). Known as the "Tenjinsama of Fukashi," it hosts the famous Tenjin Matsuri festival each...
Why you should go
Take the 10-15 minute walk east from Matsumoto Station along Agata-no-mori street, then turn south at the Miyamura-machi traffic signal just before the Performing Arts Centre.
Plan your visit for July to experience the Tenjin Matsuri, when 16 elaborately decorated floats from local neighborhoods are displayed at the shrine and paraded through the streets.
Arrive early on weekdays or outside festival season to enjoy the shrine's quiet, spiritual atmosphere without tourist crowds. Several visitors noted the shrine feels peaceful and contemplative when you're not competing with tour groups, making it easier to appreciate the ornate painted carvings and statues.
Address: 3-chome-7-43 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 263-32-1214
View details
Shrine
7
Yohashira Jinja
4.0(1)
Location: Matsumoto, Nagano
Goshuin: Goshuin
A central Shinto shrine in Matsumoto, Yōhashira Jinja sits beside Nawate Street near Matsumoto Castle. It is known for blessings of good fortune, matchmaking, and family harmony, and hosts a major annual autumn festival with wooden floats.
Why you should go
Built in just nine days before the Emperor's 1879 visit, the shrine burned down nine years later in a fire that devastated central Matsumoto. The current buildings weren't completed until 1924.
Unlike most Shinto shrines dedicated to a single deity, Yohashira enshrines four gods at once, including the sun goddess Amaterasu and three creation deities, earning it the nickname 'Wish-Granting Shrine.'
The annual October festival features elaborately decorated wooden floats (butai) designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties, parading through streets while musicians perform aboard the moving platforms.
Address: 3-chōme-3-20 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 263-32-1936
View details
Shrine
8
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya
Location: Suwa, Nagano
Goshuin: 1 Goshuin
A historic Shinto shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano, and one of the four main shrines of the Suwa Taisha complex. Set near the Togawa River, it is known for its quiet wooded grounds, seasonal rituals, and connection to the wider Lake Suwa shrine system.
Why you should go
The shrine sits beside the Togawa River and features a sacred Japanese cedar tree, blending so gradually into residential Shimosuwa streets that visitors say it 'emerges from ordinary town' rather than announcing itself.
Almost no historical documents from the Lower Shrine (which includes Harumiya) survived through the centuries. Nearly all records about Suwa Taisha come from the Upper Shrine across the lake.
Harumiya means 'Spring Shrine' because the deity traditionally resides here from February to July, then moves to nearby Akimiya (Autumn Shrine) for the rest of the year in a seasonal ritual unique to Suwa Taisha.
Address: 193 Daimon, Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0092, JapanWebsite Phone: +81 266-27-8316
View details
Shrine